Bert Blyeven, who won 287 games during his 22-year major league career, believes Francisco Liriano needs to modify his pitching delivery before he resumes his comeback from elbow surgery next season. Blyleven, now the Twins TV analyst, described Liriano’s delivery as “violent,” noting that the 23-year-old left hander even had arm trouble as a minor league pitcher with the San Francisco Giants. Liriano had a 12-3 record and 2.16 ERA last season as a rookie sensation before injuring his arm. Blyleven suggested Liriano can improve his mechanics in a few ways including using more of his lower body and not placing so much strain on his left elbow.
Just a sports columnist’s intuition but I don’t think Torii Hunter will re-sign with the Twins. He can make too much money elsewhere on what will likely be the last and most mega contract of his career. Hunter had an exceptional August hitting .325, with five homers, 21 RBI and 19 runs scored.
The Minnesota Wild will hold its media day on Thursday, September 13 and open training camp on Friday, September 14. The first pre-season game is Wednesday, September 19 against Detroit at Xcel Energy Center.
Former Gopher women’s athletic director Chris Voelz and men’s hockey coach Glen Sonmor will be among 13 inductees into the M Club Hall of Fame on Thursday, September 27. The event will be at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University’s west bank campus with a social hour from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by the program. Ticket information is available by calling 612-624-4497, or 1-800-846-7437.
From the strange but true department: Former Gopher coach Glen Mason was at Maynard’s restaurant in Excelsior earlier this summer when he accepted a spontaneous invitation to join Dan Barreiro on-air. For years Barriero was probably Mason’s No. 1 media critic but the twosome chatted away during a KFAN remote broadcast from Maynard’s.
The public can see the Viking football team tonight (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. in the Rotunda at the Mall of America. Head coach Brad Childress will address the crowd following team introductions and designated players will speak. Coordinators Darrell Bevell, Leslie Frazier and Paul Ferraro will answer questions from team play-by-play man Paul Allen. A few players will sign autographs later in the evening at mall locations to be announced at the Rotunda event.
Childress received an autographed copy last week of Murray Warmath’s biography, “The Autumn Warrior.” The former Gopher head coach and Viking assistant, now 94, has an open invitation to attend a Viking practice.
The guess here is the Vikings lost 8,000 to 12,000 season tickets during the off-season.
Gopher Athletic Director Joel Maturi said his department will receive $7.5 million from all TV revenue sources, including the new Big Ten Network.